Lacrosse box goalie head

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a box lacrosse goalie stick including a generally triangular shaped frame having a scoop portion with a flat exterior surface measuring in the range from 14.5 inches to 16.5 inches. The lacrosse stick of the present invention includes a head that is larger than field lacrosse goalie sticks. Further, the lacrosse stick of the present invention is lighter weight and more balanced than a box lacrosse goalie stick that is hand made from wood.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a lacrosse head. The present invention more particularly relates to a lacrosse head to be used by a goalie in a game of box lacrosse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Box lacrosse is played indoors on an enclosed rink, often on an ice rink where the ice has been removed. The playing area is referred to as the box. Conversely, field lacrosse is played outdoors on an unenclosed playing field.

Box lacrosse goaltenders typically hold their sticks much differently than field lacrosse goaltenders. Field lacrosse goaltenders tend to hold their sticks elevated such that the head is positioned upward. On the other hand, box lacrosse goaltenders tend to hold their sticks such that the head is positioned downward between the goaltenders' legs. The scoop portion of the head often rests on the ground.

Currently box lacrosse goaltenders use either a lacrosse stick that was designed to be used by a field lacrosse goaltender or a manually constructed box lacrosse goaltender stick. There are disadvantages of using both types of lacrosse sticks by a goaltender in the game of box lacrosse.

There are disadvantages of a box lacrosse goaltender using a stick that was designed to be used by a field lacrosse goaltender. One disadvantage is that the field lacrosse goaltender sticks have a small head that does not sufficiently fill the space between the goaltenders legs. Another disadvantage is that the shape of the scoop is curved such that it does not allow the stick to rest flat on the ground to more effectively prevent the ball from entering the goal.

There are also disadvantages of a box lacrosse goaltender using a manually constructed box lacrosse goaltender stick. These types of sticks tend to have the correct proportion for filling the space between the goaltender's legs however, they are known to be very heavy and not well balanced. These disadvantages are the due to the fact that they are made by hand from wood. A stick that is heavy and not well balanced results is less effective manipulation of the ball.

Therefore, there is a need for a lacrosse head for use by a goaltender playing the sport of box lacrosse that is has the proper proportions for filling the space between the goaltender's legs, is light-weight and well-balanced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of known box lacrosse goalie heads by providing a box lacrosse goalie head that is larger than known field lacrosse goaltender stick heads. Further, the present invention is lighter weight and more balanced than known manually constructed box lacrosse goal heads.

In accordance with the advantages of the present invention, a box lacrosse goaltender head is disclosed that includes a generally triangular-shaped frame having a ball stop portion, a scoop portion opposite from the ball stop portion and a pair of sidewalls each having a first linear portion and a second linear portion extending between the ball stop portion and the scoop portion. The scoop portion has a substantially flat exterior surface and generally curvilinear interior surface. Each sidewall second linear portion is positioned on an angle relative to the first linear portion. The first and second sidewalls are mirror images of each other.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the invention and taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a box lacrosse goalie stick in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a box lacrosse goalie head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a box lacrosse goalie head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a box lacrosse goaltender stick is disclosed in the present invention, shown generally at 20. The stick 20 includes a head frame 22 to which a handle 24 and a pocket 26 are attached.

The frame 22 has a generally triangular shape including a ball stop portion 28, a scoop portion 30 opposite from the ball stop portion 28 and two sidewalls 32, 34, each having a first linear portion 36, 40 and a second linear portion 38, 42. Both sidewalls 32, 34 extend between the ball stop portion 28 and the scoop portion 30.

The scoop portion 30 of the frame 22 includes a flat linear exterior surface 44 and a curvilinear interior surface 46. The flat linear exterior surface 44 has a first corner 48 and a second corner 50. The distance 52 between the first corner 48 and the second corner 50 measures in the range of 14.0 inches to 16.0 inches. In the embodiment illustrated, the first and second corners 48, 50 are curved or rounded. However it should be noted that they could have a more pointed geometry. The flat linear exterior surface 44 allows the goaltender to rest the lacrosse stick 20 on the ground periodically during the game. This provides a more stable surface to rest the stick on and more area coverage to effectively stop the ball as it is thrown or shot at the goal.

Both sidewalls 32, 34 have a first end 54, 58 and a second end 56, 60. The first end 54 of the first sidewall 32 coincides with the first corner 48 where the flat linear exterior surface 44 of the scoop 30 and the first linear portion 36 intersect. The first end 58 of the second sidewall 34 coincides with the second corner 50 where the substantially flat linear exterior surface 44 of the scoop 30 and the first linear portion 40 intersect. The second end 56, 60 of each sidewall 32, 34 intersects opposing ends of the ball stop portion of the frame 28. The location of the first end 54, 58 and the second ends 56, 60 need not be a specific boundary, but preferably are a general location as is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

The first sidewall 32 includes a first linear portion 36 and a second linear portion 38. The first linear portion 36 extends between the first end 54 and an intermediate point 62. The second linear portion 38 extends between the intermediate point 62 and the second end 56. The second linear portion 38 is positioned on an angle alpha (α) relative to the first linear portion 36.

Similarly, the second sidewall 34 has a first linear portion 40 and a second linear portion 42. The first linear portion 40 extends between the first end 58 and an intermediate point 66. The second linear portion 42 extends between the intermediate point 66 and the second end 60. The second linear portion 42 is positioned on an angle beta (β) relative to the first linear portion 40. The first and second sidewalls 32, 34 are mirror images of each other. In the embodiment illustrated, the first linear portion 36 of the first sidewall 32 and the first linear portion 40 of the second sidewall 34 are both longer than the second linear portions 38, 42 of the first and second sidewalls 32, 34.

Referring to FIG. 3, the frame 22 is generally flat having a thickness 86 in the range of 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches. Further the frame 22 includes a throat portion 70 that extends down from the ball stop portion 28 for attachment to the handle 24. The top 72 of the throat portion coincides with the ball stop portion 28 of the frame 22. The bottom 74 of the throat portion 70 includes the attachment region 76 for attachment of the frame 22 to the handle 24. The distance 78 from the flat linear exterior surface 44 of the scoop to the bottom 74 of the throat portion 70 measures in the range from 25.0 to 27.0 inches. The distance 80 from the flat linear exterior surface 44 of the scoop to the top 72 of the throat portion measures in the range from 23.0 inches to 25.0 inches.

When assembled, the lacrosse head includes a pocket 26 that is attached to a lacrosse head frame 22 via pocket securing apertures 82 that are located in the scoop 30, the ball stop portion 28, and the sidewalls 32, 34. In one embodiment, the pocket 26 includes lace-like, pocket cords 84 that are placed through the apertures 82 in the frame 22 and secured in place, often by being tied into a knot. The lacrosse pocket 26 is flexible and includes enough material to give the pocket depth beyond the frame to cradle a lacrosse ball. It will also be understood that other types of netting or pockets, such as mesh, may also be utilized.

The assembled box lacrosse stick 20 is light-weight, weighing in the range of 2.0 to 2.5 pounds. The frame 22 could be made from molded plastic, but is not limited to that particular material. This is much improved over known box lacrosse goal sticks that are made from wood and weigh in the range of 3.0 to 3.5 pounds.

While the present invention has been described in what is presently considered to be its most practical and preferred embodiment or implementation, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

1. A box lacrosse goalie head having a generally triangular shaped frame comprising: a ball stop portion, a scoop portion opposite from said ball stop portion having a substantially flat linear exterior surface and a curvilinear interior surface; and a pair of sidewalls each extending generally between said ball stop portion and said scoop portion.
 2. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, wherein each sidewall has a first linear portion and a second linear portion positioned on an angle relative to said first linear portion.
 3. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 1, wherein said scoop portion substantially flat linear exterior surface has a length in the range of 14.5 inches to 16.5 inches.
 4. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 3, wherein said frame includes a throat portion having a top that is the ball stop portion and a bottom that includes an attachment region for receipt of a handle.
 5. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 4, wherein a length of the goalie head measured as the distance from said substantially flat exterior surface of the scoop to a bottom of said throat portion is in the range of 25.0 inches to 27.0 inches.
 6. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 5, wherein a length of the goalie head measured as the distance from said substantially flat exterior surface of the scoop to a top of said throat portion is in the range from 23.0 inches to 25.0 inches.
 7. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 6, wherein a thickness of the frame is in the range from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches.
 8. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 7, wherein the frame is made primarily from a molded plastic material.
 9. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 8, wherein said scoop portion includes pocket securing apertures, said throat portion includes pocket securing apertures and said sidewalls include pocket securing apertures for allowing attachment of a pocket to the frame.
 10. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 9, wherein said pocket includes pocket cords and said pocket cords interact with said scoop portion pocket securing apertures, said throat portion pocket securing apertures and said pocket securing apertures in said first and second sidewalls to secure said pocket to the frame.
 11. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 10, further comprising: a handle attached to said throat portion attachment region of said frame.
 12. The box lacrosse goalie head of claim 11, wherein an assembled stick including said frame, said net and said handle weighs in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.
 13. A box lacrosse goalie stick comprising: a head frame including, a scoop portion having a substantially flat exterior surface, a curvilinear interior surface and pocket securing apertures, said substantially flat exterior surface extends between a first corner and a second corner; a throat portion including pocket securing apertures, wherein a top of said throat portion includes a ball stop portion and a bottom of said throat includes an attachment region; a first sidewall having pocket securing apertures, said first sidewall having a first end that coincides with said substantially flat exterior surface first corner and a second end that coincides with said bottom of said throat portion, said first sidewall includes a first substantially linear portion extending from said first end to an intermediate point and a second portion positioned at an angle relative to said first substantially linear portion extending from said intermediate point to said second end such that said second portion diverges from said ball stop portion at a greater rate than said first substantially linear portion; a second sidewall having pocket securing apertures, that is the mirror image of said first sidewall, having a first end that coincides with said substantially flat exterior surface second corner and a second end that coincides with said bottom of said throat portion, said second sidewall includes a first substantially linear portion extending from said first end to an intermediate point and a second portion positioned at an angle relative to said first substantially linear portion extending from said intermediate point to said second end such that said first substantially linear portion diverges at a lesser rate than said second portion; a pocket that interacts with said apertures in said scoop portion, said throat portion, said first sidewall and said second sidewall to secure said pocket to said frame; and a handle attached to said frame at said throat attachment region.
 14. The box lacrosse goalie stick of claim 13, wherein said scoop portion substantially flat exterior surface measured between said first corner and said second corner measure in the range from 14.0 inches to 16.0 inches.
 15. The box lacrosse goalie stick of claim 14, wherein a distance measured from said substantially flat exterior surface of said scoop to said bottom of said throat portion measures in the range from 25.0 to 27.0 inches.
 16. The box lacrosse goalie stick of claim 15, weighing in the range from 2.0 pounds to 2.5 pounds.
 17. The box lacrosse goalie stick of claim 16, wherein said first and second sidewall first linear portions are longer than said first and second sidewall second portions.
 18. The box lacrosse goalie stick of claim 13, wherein said second sidewall second portions are substantially linear.
 19. A box lacrosse goalie stick comprising: a head frame including, a scoop portion having a substantially flat exterior surface, a curvilinear interior surface and pocket securing apertures, said substantially flat exterior surface extends between a first corner and a second corner; a throat portion including pocket securing apertures, wherein a top of said throat portion includes a ball stop portion and a bottom of said throat includes an attachment region; a first sidewall having pocket securing apertures, said first sidewall having a first end that coincides with said substantially flat exterior surface first corner and a second end that coincides with said bottom of said throat portion, said first sidewall includes a first portion extending from said first end to an intermediate point and a second portion positioned at an angle relative to said first portion extending from said intermediate point to said second end; a second sidewall having pocket securing apertures, that is the mirror image of said first sidewall, having a first end that coincides with said substantially flat exterior surface second corner and a second end that coincides with said bottom of said throat portion, said second sidewall includes a first portion extending from said first end to an intermediate point and a second portion positioned at an angle relative to said first portion extending from said intermediate point to said second end; a pocket that interacts with said apertures in said scoop portion, said throat portion, said first sidewall and said second sidewall to secure said pocket to said frame; and a handle attached to said frame at said throat attachment region; wherein a length of the goalie head measured as the distance from said substantially flat exterior surface of the scoop to a bottom of said throat portion is in the range of 25.0 inches to 27.0 inches. 